1939: Cycling

Bicycling continues to hold the interest that has been created in the last few years, 1939 almost reaching the highest point in matter of sales in the history of the industry, and being about 40 per cent ahead of 1938.

The young and older adult are becoming devotees of this sport for they find it provides them with fun-giving exercise, and at the same time is an economical form of transportation.

Bicycle Racing.

During 1939 Amateur Bicycle Racing enjoyed one of its greatest years, the high spot of the year being the Amateur Bicycle League of America National Amateur Championships at Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 1, 2 and 3. Champions from 28 states were on hand to compete for the titles, which were won by the following:

Senior Championship: Martin Deras, Bakersfield, Calif.

Junior Championship: Frank Paul, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Girls Championship: Gladys Ruth Owen, New York.

N. C. A. PROFESSIONAL TRACK CHAMPIONS. The professional track champions were as follows:

Pro Sprint: George Shipman, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Pro Motor Paced: Tino Reboh, Newark, N. J.

WORLD'S TITLES. Due to the outbreak of the war, the World's Championships at Milan, Italy, were not completed, except for the Amateur Sprint Title, which was won by Jan Derkens, of Holland. For the other events the 1938 Champions retained their titles:

Pro Sprint: Arie Van Fliet, Holland

Pro Road: Mercel Kent, Belgium

Pro Motor Paced: Eric Metz, Germany

Amateur Road: H. Knecht, Switzerland

TOUR OF FRANCE. The 1939 Tour of France which finished on July 30 was run at a distance of 2,650 miles and was won by Sylvaere Maes, Belgium in 132 hrs. 10 min. 24 sec.

SIX-DAY RACES. The three American six-day bicycle races resulted as follows:

Chicago, Nov. 5-11: Doug and Torchy Peden, Canadian.

New York, Nov. 20-26: Yates and Moretti, Italian-American.

Cleveland, Dec. 24-30: Bergna-Boellart, American.

The World's six-day champion is William 'Torchy' Peden, Victoria, B.C., Canada.